The Springboard Project commenced in April 2008 and involved 97 designers from across Australia in a mentorship program to develop their professional careers in local and international markets.

Stage One of the program ran from early April to the end of June, with participants developing their individual design practice with the guidance of six leading business professionals drawn from areas essential to business survival in the design sector. Stage Two followed in August 2008 and continued until the end of March 2009, and saw 16 designers selected from Stage One given one-on-one mentorship through the process of developing their business plans, their practice, business identity, and in some cases taking a product to market.

The program covered sustainable best practice, financial management, contractual law, intellectual property (IP), media relations, and retail and export strategy. Mentors included eco-design specialist John Gertsakis of WSP Environmental, IP lawyer Peter English of Surry Partners Lawyers, market strategist Mats Ekstrom, and former brand consultant for Apple Computer Europe Bradford Gorman. While guest mentors Liane Rossler, cofounder Dinosaur Designs, David Clark, Editor Vogue Living Australia, Hugo Davidson, cofounder Knog, and John Parker, Managing Director Format Furniture, shared real insights on running a thriving design business from Australia.

Participants in Stage One and Two of the program include: